Minister of Defence Kalle Laanet visited Kiev on 23 and 24 August, where he was participating in the celebrations and military parade commemorating the 30th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence, meeting with Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine Oleksandr Polishchuki, and addressing the International Crimean Platform Summit. A group from the Northeast regional command of the Estonian Defence League was also participating in the military parade in Kiev, and the flag team of the Guard Battalion of the Military Police of the Estonian Defence Forces was carrying the Estonian flag at the parade.
‘Estonia supports the Crimean Platform initiative and seeks to actively contribute to this format. We must keep the issue of the occupation of Crimea constantly on the international agenda, to ensure that it does not fall into the shadow of new crises. Estonia supports Ukraine, both through political efforts and through defence assistance and close practical defence co-operation’, said Minister of Defence Kalle Laanet.
‘The Putin regime is trying to consolidate the illegal annexation of Crimea by using the tactics of militarization, neutralization of political opponents, changing the demographic composition of the Crimean peninsula, and information warfare’, noted Minister of Defence Laanet.
The first summit and official opening of the Crimean Platform took place in Kiev, on 23 August 2021. It is an international format launched by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last autumn, with the aim being the bringing of an end to the occupation of Crimea and the mobilisation of international efforts in support of that aim. The format is intended to keep the attention of the international community directed towards the ongoing occupation of Crimea and see Crimea returned to Ukraine.
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